PROTECT OUR WATERS: No Repeal of Clean Water Rule

Oct 11, 2017

Suit Up Maine and Natural Resources Council of Maine C2A

THE BASICSSome of Maine’s waterways are at risk by the Trump administration’s plans to gut the Clean Water Rule. File a public comment to the Environmental Protection Agency opposing the repeal of the Clean Water Rule by Aug. 28.

THE ISSUEThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)finalized the Clean Water Rule in 2015 to safeguard the nation’s water supply by protecting the smaller streams that provide drinking water. One in 3 Mainers–nearly 500,000 people–get their drinking water from the waterways protected by the 2015 rule, which also preserves critical habitat for Maine’s native brook trout and many other fish and wildlife. The rule also protects smaller wetlands that help guard against flooding and filter out pollution before it gets into larger downstream waters. The EPA–under the direction of Scott Pruitt, a long-time opponent of the Clean Water Rule—is poised to rescind the rule, a move opposed by many in Maine, including local business owners. Economists say the Trump administration’s basis for the repeal is based on outdated data and excluded information on the benefits of the rule’s mitigation of wetland loss.

According to the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), a repeal of the Clean Water Rule would place at least 55% of Maine’s stream miles and thousands of acres of wetlands at risk of pollution and destruction from development and industrial activities. Clean wetlands are needed to filter pollution, provide flood protection, recharge groundwater supplies and provide essential wildlife habitats. In addition to Trump’s actions, House Republicans are trying to block the Clean Water Rule through riders on legislation, and to prevent the public from filing comments on this critical issue.

ACTION

Submit a comment to the EPA opposing the repeal of the Clean Water Rule.

Submit a comment through thisNRCM form, which will also send emails to the Maine Congressional Delegation